With time, the memory of September 11 seems to have become a blended set of etchings on my mind --- the surprise of its reality coming down, the experience of horrifying loss --- both close and yet distant --- the exemplary courage of many, the comforting sense of global unity wrapped up tragedy, and the resiliency of the human spirit to lift itself up again.
For me, the commemoration of this day now embraces the tragedies of others with a more compassionate heart, because it made the pain of man-made tragedies, of human struggle, injustice, and loss and the other calamities of nature and man that have followed, much more real, relevant, and present.
Much has happened since September 11 and with it came sweeping violence and damage that has had far-reaching implications on people and families here and all over the world. 9/11 for me has become a compelling symbol of all that has gone wrong in our world --- and all that remains so broken today --- and all that can be right in it, when we heed our Higher Calling. Today there is an urgency about mending our ways --- a call to take a good, close look at ourselves, to set aside our self-interests, thinking more about a global collaboration for good, asking of us to do our parts to stop the hatred, to love our neighbors, and to strive every day to put our differences to work to create a better world than we know today for everyone.
So, I write in commemoration of the lives lost in the tragedy of 9/11, as well as with a sense of acknowledgment also for the heartbreak and heartache around the world --- from natural and human disasters like Katrina, Indonesia, Haiti, and Pakistan, for families suffering with soldiers and family members lost in the IRAQ WAR and in the AFGHANISTAN WAR, for the "collateral damage" --- the innocents caught in our wars -- we often forget to admit and recognize, for the millions displaced from their homes because of the ravages of the longest wars in history, for the genocide in places like south-eastern Nigeria and other places where our global family suffers from hunger, poverty, violence, greed, inaction, and indifference.
In this commemoration, there also resides an eternal HOPE. I've continued to revisit one of the truths in life each year as the memories stack up and again tug at my consciousness:
Some time after 9/11, I heard Ethel Kennedy, wife of Bobbie Kennedy, capture the essence of it in an interview. Referring to how their family had recovered from so much tragedy, she said with a courageous smile..."After a storm, the birds sing."
I later wrote an article, After a Storm, the Birds Sing, as a 9/11 commemorative contribution that incorporated stories about the strength in all life to begin again. Below is an excerpt from the collection I shared. It exemplifies this strength that resides in each of us in story close to home. May it inspire YOU. I am posting it again, because it speaks the words that reside my heart:
"Some years back, Sally, my best friend of 43 years, and I teamed up with our close friend, Emily, to start hiking. Together, we set out eagerly to explore the outdoors. In a relatively short time, we had climbed most of the notable peaks in our area and began new, more challenging climbs in more exotic places. The hikes soon became more than exercise and experiencing the outdoors. We used them to learn about ourselves and spent time at the top, and later over coffee, talking about the lessons we had learned. Soon, we invited new friends, daughters and sisters to join us. Over time, we helped each other solve life problems, think through work challenges, build new dreams and celebrate many victories in our lives, including those of making it to the top of those glorious mountains, where all things seem possible.
Just before Christmas, a few years later, Emily received word from her sister, Celeste, that her husband was gravely ill. The worst possible news was soon confirmed: he had perhaps a few days — or maybe a few weeks — to live. There was a helplessness as one looked on to see the torrent of grief sweep through all their lives. I watched big sister, Emily, mobilize, garnering all the human strengths she possessed to share her sister’s burden: intellect, commanding presence, know-how, influence, clout, and deep love of family. The other sisters and brothers came together across the distance to support her. Reports came that close-by friends were surrounding Celeste with their goodness. Across the country, we all knew Celeste from her visits with Emily — devoted wife and stay-at-home mom with three young children. Her husband had provided well for his family and took care of everything in Celeste’s life for her. This gift of love soon became a terrifying reality of unknowns. With the sudden loss and the weight of many responsibilities, it was inconceivable to me to imagine the level of strength and courage it would take for Celeste to put her shattered life back together, get through Christmas with three young children, take on the leadership of the family, and go on to start anew. With a lot of love around her, she made it through.
Shortly after her husband's passing, Emily gifted Celeste with a week of renewal with the children. Plans for the week included a hike up one of our favorite mountains. Our little hiking group agreed to take the journey with Celeste, which was our first time to personally connect with her as a group of friends since her husband died. Not long into the hike, I realized that the experience of walking with her, listening to her, and watching her would be a lesson about courage that would stay with me. Now and then, I come across her picture at the top of that lofty peak and reflect on the nurturing experience of that day we all spent together. Seeing her boldly standing on top of the world in itself is a monument to the human spirit that lies within all of us: The choice we make to go on when life deals us an unexpected defining moment — a choice to give up or begin again.
Closing Thoughts... So, in commemoration of the gift of life demonstrated in all the tragedies and joys throughout the world— life in all its forms so precious, so fleeting — may we all reflect on the defining moments we are given — the ones that have called us to have faith in the power we have within to make the choice to go on.
This year, with all the hate and vitriol that has surfaced, may 9/11 be a day where we each examine our hearts and think of how we might contribute to healing the world around us by more consciously loving, respecting, and caring more about one another.
Gandhi's wisdom reminds us the HOPE in our healing actions: "When in despair I remember that all through history the way of TRUTH and LOVE has always won..."
May you be blessed...
Warm regards to all...
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy, author and founder, president, and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies
Twitter: @debbekennedy @onlinedialogues
Book: Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
Learn more: http://www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com/about.html
** 2010 Axiom Business Book Award Winner** - Bronze
for Human Resources and Employee Training
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